SWEET PEAS 237 



winter comes on, and are easily protected with a few thicknesses 

 of newspaper in very severe weather. On no account should such 

 early raised plants be subjected to much heat, or they will become 

 long, drawn, and weakly. 



February is a very good time to sow. One seed may be sown 

 in each 3-inch pot, or five seeds may be put equidistant in a 5-inch 

 pot. They will do quite well in a cool greenhouse or frame. If it 

 is desired to get very early flowers heat may be given to the seed- 

 lings, but in this case care must be taken to harden the plants in 

 a frame before they are put into the garden. 



By adopting the plan of sowing under glass there is a practical 

 guarantee that every sound seed will give a good plant, which is 

 certainly not the case with outdoor sowing. This is important 

 when the cost of new varieties is considered. 



The seedlings must be kept close to the glass in order to 

 prevent their becoming drawn and weakly. They will then grow 

 slowly but steadily, and keep very sturdy. 



A suitable time for planting will probably be found from the 

 middle to the end of April. It should be done when the ground 

 is neither quite dry nor absolutely sodden, but just pleasantly 

 moist and crumbly. If, owing to bad weather, planting has to be 

 deferred, and the seedlings show tendrils in the frame, chop some 

 twigs out of the Pea sticks and set among them. 



When planting out, turn the pot upside down with the 

 fingers of the left hand spread across the soil among the plants, 

 give the rim a sharp tap to loosen the pot, and then lift the 

 latter off. Do not shake the soil away from the roots, but 

 (assuming that several plants have been grown in each pot) 

 separate them gently with the soil adhering to the roots. There 

 will be no difficulty about this if the soil is moist. Six inches 

 apart will be a suitable distance to plant, and three inches to 

 cover. Freshly slaked lime may be scattered beside the plants to 

 keep slugs away. 



